Directing Audited Data Traffic to Specific Repositories

ABSTRACT

Data traffic is monitored on a network and data access elements thereof are collected. The collected data access elements are compared to security rules providing sets of predefined data access elements for identifying predefined data accesses. First audit data collections for data accesses are sent to a first repository. For a data access that matches one of the rules, a second audit data collection defined by the matching rule is sent to at least a second repository designated by the matching rule.

BACKGROUND

One way to address computer data security is to prevent or mitigateintrusions, that is, unauthorized data accesses. To mitigate intrusionsit is helpful, of course, to detect them. One tool for detectingintrusions is to monitor user activities concerning data that is to beprotected. Traditionally, real-time monitoring software systems maycapture user activities rather indiscriminately and send all thecaptured information as an audit report to one or more repositories. Forexample, all the captured information is sent to a centralizedrepository and all the captured information is also sent to a back-uprepository.

SUMMARY

A computer-implemented process for auditing data traffic is provided,according to one form of an embodiment of the invention. In other forms,systems and computer implemented methods are provided.

In one implementation, a computer-implemented process monitors datatraffic on a network and collects data access elements.

In another aspect, the process compares the collected data accesselements to security rules, providing sets of predefined data accesselements for identifying predefined data accesses.

In another aspect, the process sends first audit data collections fordata accesses to a first repository and, for a data access that matchesone of the rules, sends a second audit data collection defined by thematching rule to at least a second repository designated by the matchingrule.

In another aspect, the sending first audit data collections for dataaccesses to a first repository includes sending respective ones of thedata access elements to respective databases of the first repository.

In another aspect, the matching rule is a first rule and thecomputer-implemented process further comprises creating a second ruleautomatically in response to the data access matching the first rule.The second rule is configured for sending predetermined elements offuture data accesses that match the second rule to the secondrepository, so that even if all elements of the data access that matchedthe first rule are not present again, the computer-implemented processwill still send audit data collections for future accesses that matchthe second rule to the second repository.

In another aspect, the data access elements for the data accessesinclude data query components, and the computer-implemented processcomprises automatically configuring ones of the rules, responsive torule input in an initialization mode, with structure based on data querystructures, such that the rules have components corresponding tocomponents of data queries.

In another aspect, the data access elements include an IP address of auser.

In another aspect, an authentication process is configured to recognizesecurity clearance levels, wherein some ones of audit personnel have alower clearance level than other audit personnel. Thecomputer-implemented process further comprises limiting, automaticallyby the authentication process, accesses to audit data collections in thesecond repository, such that the audit data collections in the secondrepository are not accessible to audit personnel having the lower levelof security clearance.

In another aspect, the data access elements for the data accessesinclude data query components. The first repository includes databaseshaving schema according to data query components, and sending respectiveones of the data access elements to respective databases of the firstrepository comprises sending respective ones of the data querycomponents to the respective databases having schema corresponding tothe respective ones of the data query components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth inthe appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as apreferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following detailed description ofone or more illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a network of dataprocessing systems in which embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data processing system that may beimplemented as a server in which embodiments of the present inventionmay be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a data processing system in whichembodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram that provides an overview of aspects ofan audit data system and its operation, according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram that provides a more detailed view of howcertain embodiments of the invention filter data accesses andresponsively delivers audit how certain embodiments of the inventiondirect incoming traffic by data 425 types, according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary process aspects, accordingto one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Descriptions of various embodiments of the present invention have beenpresented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modificationsand variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. Terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

The present invention is now described within the context of one or moreembodiments, although the description is intended to be illustrative ofthe invention as a whole, and is not to be construed as limiting theinvention to the embodiments shown. It is appreciated that variousmodifications may occur to those skilled in the art that, while notspecifically shown herein, are nevertheless within the true spirit andscope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a pictorial representation of a network of dataprocessing systems (also referred to as “computer systems”) is depictedin which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.Network data processing system 100 is a network of computer systems inwhich the present invention may be implemented. Network data processingsystem 100 contains a network 102, which is the medium used to providecommunications links between various devices and computers connectedtogether within network data processing system 100. Network 102 mayinclude connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, orfiber optic cables.

In the depicted example, one of the computer systems, server 104, isconnected to network 102 along with storage unit 106. In addition, othercomputer systems, clients 108, 110, and 112, are depicted and areconnected to network 102. These clients 108, 110, and 112 may be, forexample, personal computers or network computers. In the depictedexample, server 104 provides data, such as boot files, operating systemimages, and applications to clients 108-112. Clients 108, 110, and 112are clients to server 104. Network data processing system 100 mayinclude additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown. In thedepicted example, network data processing system 100 is the Internetwith network 102 representing a worldwide collection of networks andgateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol(TCP/IP) suite of protocols to communicate with one another.

At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed datacommunication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting ofthousands of commercial, government, educational and other computersystems that route data and messages. Of course, network data processingsystem 100 also may be implemented as a number of different types ofnetworks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN),or a wide area network (WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and notas an architectural limitation for the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a data processing system thatmay be implemented as a server, such as server 104 in FIG. 1, isdepicted in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Dataprocessing system 200 may be a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) systemincluding a plurality of processors 202 and 204 connected to system bus206. Alternatively, a single processor system may be employed. Alsoconnected to system bus 206 is memory controller/cache 208, whichprovides an interface to local memory 209. I/O bus bridge 210 isconnected to system bus 206 and provides an interface to I/O bus 212.Memory controller/cache 208 and I/O bus bridge 210 may be integrated asdepicted.

Peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus bridge 214 connected to I/Obus 212 provides an interface to PCI local bus 216. A number of modemsmay be connected to PCI local bus 216. Typical PCI bus implementationswill support four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors.Communications links to network computers 108, 110 and 112 in FIG. 1 maybe provided through modem 218 and network adapter 220 connected to PCIlocal bus 216 through add-in boards. Additional PCI bus bridges 222 and224 provide interfaces for additional PCI local buses 226 and 228, fromwhich additional modems or network adapters may be supported. In thismanner, data processing system 200 allows connections to multiplenetwork computers. A memory-mapped graphics adapter 230 and hard disk232 may also be connected to I/O bus 212 as depicted, either directly orindirectly.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardwaredepicted in FIG. 2 may vary. For example, other peripheral devices, suchas optical disk drives and the like, also may be used in addition to orin place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is not meant toimply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention.

The data processing system depicted in FIG. 2 may be, for example, anIBM e-Server pSeries system, a product of International BusinessMachines Corporation in Armonk, N.Y., running the Advanced InteractiveExecutive (AIX) operating system or LINUX operating system.

Server 104 may provide a suitable website or other internet-basedgraphical user interface accessible by users to enable user interactionfor aspects of an embodiment of the present invention. In oneembodiment, Netscape web server, IBM Websphere Internet tools suite, anIBM DB2 for Linux, Unix and Windows (also referred to as “IBM DB2 forLUW”) platform and a Sybase database platform are used in conjunctionwith a Sun Solaris operating system platform. Additionally, componentssuch as JBDC drivers, IBM connection pooling and IBM MQ seriesconnection methods may be used to provide data access to severalsources. The term webpage as it is used herein is not meant to limit thetype of documents and programs that might be used to interact with theuser. For example, a typical website might include, in addition tostandard HTML documents, various forms, Java applets, JavaScript, activeserver pages (ASP), Java Server Pages (JSP), common gateway interfacescripts (CGI), extensible markup language (XML), dynamic HTML, cascadingstyle sheets (CSS), helper programs, plug-ins, and the like.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating a dataprocessing system is depicted in which embodiments of the invention maybe implemented. Data processing system 300 is an example of a clientcomputer. Data processing system 300 employs a peripheral componentinterconnect (PCI) local bus architecture. Although the depicted exampleemploys a PCI bus, other bus architectures such as Accelerated GraphicsPort (AGP) and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) may be used.Processor 302 and main memory 304 are connected to PCI local bus 306through PCI bridge 308. PCI bridge 308 also may include an integratedmemory controller and cache memory for processor 302. Additionalconnections to PCI local bus 306 may be made through direct componentinterconnection or through add-in boards. In the depicted example, localarea network (LAN) adapter 310, Small computer system interface (SCSI)host bus adapter 312, and expansion bus interface 314 are connected toPCI local bus 306 by direct component connection. In contrast, audioadapter 316, graphics adapter 318, and audio/video adapter 319 areconnected to PCI local bus 306 by add-in boards inserted into expansionslots.

Expansion bus interface 314 provides a connection for a keyboard andmouse adapter 320, modem 322, and additional memory 324. SCSI host busadapter 312 provides a connection for hard disk drive 326, tape drive328, and CD-ROM drive 330. Typical PCI local bus implementations willsupport three or four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors.

An operating system runs on processor 302 and is used to coordinate andprovide control of various components within data processing system 300in FIG. 3. The operating system may be a commercially availableoperating system, such as a Windows operating system, which is availablefrom Microsoft Corporation. (“Windows” is a trademark of MicrosoftCorporation.) An object oriented programming system such as Java may runin conjunction with the operating system and provide calls to theoperating system from Java programs or programs executing on dataprocessing system 300. (“Java” is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.)Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented operatingsystem, and programs are located on storage devices, such as hard diskdrive 326, and may be loaded into main memory 304 for execution byprocessor 302.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware inFIG. 3 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardwareor peripheral devices, such as flash ROM (or equivalent nonvolatilememory) or optical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition toor in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 3. Also, the processes ofthe present invention may be applied to a multiprocessor data processingsystem.

As another example, data processing system 300 may be a stand-alonesystem configured to be bootable without relying on some type of networkcommunication interface, whether or not data processing system 300comprises some type of network communication interface. As a furtherexample, data processing system 300 may be a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA) device, which is configured with ROM and/or flash ROM in order toprovide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/oruser-generated data.

The depicted example in FIG. 3 and above-described examples are notmeant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data processingsystem 300 may also be a notebook computer or hand held computer as wellas a PDA. Further, data processing system 300 may also be a kiosk or aWeb appliance. Further, the present invention may reside on any datastorage medium (i.e., floppy disk, compact disk, hard disk, tape, ROM,RAM, etc.) used by a computer system. (The terms “computer,” “system,”“computer system,” and “data processing system” and are usedinterchangeably herein.)

Referring now to FIG. 4, aspects of an audit data system 415 and itsoperation are illustrated, according to embodiments of the presentinvention. An audit program 405 running on a computer system 410provides audit data system 415, which monitors accesses 420 to data 425,such as by listening on network 495 or by other non-invasive techniques,in order to collect and store audit information. Other such techniquesinclude i) linking agent code with compiled native application code atruntime and ii) intercepting device driver or kernel system calls usedby an application at runtime. (In one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, audit program 405 may be implemented, at least in part, byfeatures of IBM Corporation's Guardium® program. “Guardium” is aregistered trademark of the IBM Corporation.) The monitoring may bethroughout one or more entire organizations and may amass informationfor all data access traffic 420 taking place therein or may be moreselective. In certain embodiments, the monitoring by audit program 405has minimal impact on database server resources, since it isindependent, i.e., outside, of database programs and does not requiredatabase configuration changes. In embodiments, audit program 405 may beincluded in a database program.

Via the monitoring, audit program 405 detects user activities relatingto monitored data 425 accesses 420 and may block access and send alertsin real time. Audit program 405 may send secure audit trail information(also referred to herein as an “audit data collection 435”) for the useractivities, wherein audit program 405 may select different repositories430 to which it sends the audit data collection 435 for different useractivities. (Herein, the term “repository” may refer to one or moredatabase tables or may refer to any given persistent data storagesoftware for the audit data, like a file system, a database, or other.)The selection may depend upon predetermined security policy rules 440and access activities for data 425, such as rules 440 set by anadministrator (also referred to herein as a “auditor”) of a caretakerorganization for data 425.

In doing the above, there are at least two elements of filtering thataudit program 405 performs: i) selecting which traffic to capture andtag as audit data collections 435 and ii) selecting where to send eachaudit data collection 435.

In monitoring and capturing audit trail information 435 for accesses 420to data 425 within an enterprise, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, audit program 405 identifies elements 445 of specificdata 425 access activities 420. Audit program 405 may apply a securitypolicy rule 440 that combines any of these elements 445 in order tocategorize a data 425 access 420. According to embodiments of thepresent invention, rules 440 may delineate characteristics of one ormore access, i.e., “access elements” 445. The following list sets outaccess elements which may be delineated in rules 440 and, in someinstances, also describes actions caused when such access elements 445satisfy a rule:

-   -   server IP address(es), e.g., any server, all servers selected by        IP address and mask, a group of servers, or all servers selected        by IP address and mask AND a group of servers (Example:        192.168.1.2/255.255.255.0)    -   client IP address(s): location of entity used for data access,        e.g., any client, all clients selected by IP address and mask, a        group of clients, or all clients selected by IP address and mask        AND a group of clients (Example: a client IP address that does        not belong to a Authorized Clients IP group)    -   client MAC: hardware used for data access, e.g., single client        MAC address OR a dot (.) (Entering a dot in the Client MAC box        indicates that a separate count should be maintained on each        client MAC address OR Leave the Client MAC box empty to ignore        client MAC addresses. (Example: 00:13:72:50:CF:40,        nn:nn:nn:nn:nn:nn, where n is a hexadecimal digit (0-F))    -   network protocol(s): network protocol used to access data        (Example: TCP)    -   database type: type of database accessed (Example: DB2, ORACLE)    -   service name: name of the service providing the data    -   database name: name of database accessed    -   database user: user accessing a database (Example: Functional        users group being used to access the data)    -   client IP/src app/DB user/server IP/svc name: a “tuple” that        allows any of these data access characteristics to be combined        together to form a single group member.    -   source application: application used for data access (Example:        Administrative Programs group)    -   application user name: user name for user of application        generating SQL statements    -   operating system user: operating system of user (Example: AIX)    -   field: database related field, e.g., field name in a table,        parameter of a stored procedure (Example: the “a” in “select a        from b” command for accessing data)    -   object: database object, e.g., table, store procedure (Example:        the “b” in “select a from b” command for accessing data)    -   command: verb in an SQL statement for accessing data (Example:        the “select” in “select a from b”)    -   object/command group: member of selected database object and        verb group, i.e., a tuple indicting multiple attributes in        single group member    -   object/field group: member of selected database object and        database field group, i.e., a tuple indicting multiple        attributes in single group member    -   text patterns: text strings to match in data traffic, which may        be specified by one or more regular expressions    -   SQL pattern: portions of database query output to match, which        may be specified by regular expressions (Example: mask the        credit card numbers)    -   xml pattern: text strings to match in data traffic, which may be        specified by one or more regular expressions    -   application event exists: Yes or No (An application event is        predefined by app event type, app event user name, app event        values, etc. Note: If the application user cannot be identified        from the traffic, audit program 405 uses an application events        API to identify users and application user translation.)    -   app event type: application event type    -   app event user name: application event user name    -   app event values: application event, which may be text, numeric,        or date values    -   sensitive output data pattern: portions of database query output        which may be specified by one or more regular expressions        (Example: ([0-9] {3}-[0-9] {2})-[0-9] {4}))    -   user id chain: any user in a chain of user ids in the operation        system being used to access data    -   time period: a single time period of accesses (Example: 7×24.        Example: 6 a.m.-12 a.m., i.e., a time period during which a user        can access data)    -   minimum count: minimum number of times a rule must be matched        before the rule's action is triggered (Example, trigger rule        action after count of login failures exceeds 100 within one        minute)    -   reset interval: number of minutes after which a “condition met”        counter will be reset to zero (In the above example in “Minimum        Count,” the reset Interval value is one minute.)    -   quarantine for: time period during which same user is prevented        from logging into the same server    -   records affected threshold: threshold value for records matched        in data accesses (Example: Let 1000 instances take place before        taking action. “Records affected threshold” is based on rule and        session and counts an accumulated number of returned rows from        all queries that meet a stated condition. Once all accumulated        records affected reach the threshold, the rule will trigger and        the records affected will be reported, if the rule specifies        full details logging.)    -   error code: error code from database when data access is denied        (Combined with “minimum count” access element, may identify        database accesses that indicate of lack of training or        unauthorized attempts)    -   exception type: type of exception associated with data access,        e.g. login_failed, session_error, SQL_error    -   server IP address: location of data accessed    -   (Other forms of addressing such as IPv6 are included in        embodiments of the present invention, although IPv4 addressing        has been shown in the above list.)

Specifically, audit program 405 has collector, analyzer and parsermodules. Collector module 450 collects each client request 420 andpasses it to analyzer module 455, which is configured with variousprotocol structures in use for data transmission by numerousapplications and databases, so analyzer module 455 can extract commandscontained in the data. Analyzer module 455 extracts each request 420 andpasses it to parser module 460, which then parses each request 420 intoits constituent parts according to a SQL construct based schema (e.g.VERB, OBJECT, FIELD, etc.). Once module 460 parses a request 420, itpasses the request's SQL construct based parts to a rule checking module442, which checks the set of predefined rules 440 to see if any rulesare triggered.

If checking module 442 determines a rule 440 is matched by a particulara data 425 access 420, module 442 may categorize and tag the data 425access 420 as a suspicious access, capture predetermined ones of theabove listed elements 445 for an audit data collection 435, and sendcollection 435 to storage in a repository 430, as well as taking otheractions, such as blocking and alerting, as previously mentioned.

Regarding the security policies 440, according to embodiments of theinvention, a security policy 440 data structure receives definitions,such as via a user interface 465 from an administrator, where thedefinitions delineate combinations of the above described elements 445.In general terms, elements 445 that may be combined to define securitypolicy rules 440 include elements in the following categories, forexample:

-   -   Data: identities of data entities, including databases, tables,        fields, and other data entities that may be accessed; and        characteristics of the data entities, including sensitivity        classification of the data.    -   Users: user identities, e.g., computer systems and groups of        computer systems; and characteristics of the users, such as job        functions/roles, data sensitivity level for which data access is        authorized, and data use characteristics.    -   Repositories: identities of data repositories for storing audit        trail information and characteristics of the data repositories.    -   Associations: each data entity's association to respective users        authorized to access the particular data entity, and,        conversely, each user's association to respective data entities        to which the user is authorized access; and default associations        of each data repository to the respective users.    -   Actions: access events, counts, time intervals, etc. that may        serve as conditions for a rule.

By using combinations of these elements 445, rules 440 delineate who(e.g., what client application running on what user's computer) canaccess 420 what data 425 and under what conditions. That is, rules 440provide different access criteria applicable to different ones ofindividual computer systems or groups of computer systems that access420 data 425.

In another aspect, a rule may define a message template indicating amessage sent in automated alerts when certain rules are violated. NamedMessage templates are created and modified from a Global Profile/AdminConsole.

A security policy rule 440 may be configured with “audit levels,” i.e.,to cause audit program 405 to respond with the following differentactions when the rule 440 is satisfied:

-   -   Allow: When the rule is matched, do not log a policy violation.        SQL Constructs are logged.    -   Audit Only: Use with Selective Audit Trail (SAT) only. Fill in        Audit Pattern on Policy Definition menu. Log the construct that        triggered the rule.    -   Log only: Log the policy violation only    -   Log masked details: Log the full SQL for this request, replacing        values in a request with question marks, such as for privacy        security reasons    -   Log full details: Log the full SQL string and exact timestamp        for this request.    -   Log full details with values: Log full SQL string, exact        timestamp and parse and log the values in a separate table.    -   Log full details per session: Log full SQL string and exact        timestamp for this request and for the remainder of the session.    -   Log full details with values per session: Log the full SQL        string and exact timestamp for this request and for the        remainder of the session.

FIG. 5 shows a sequence that illustrates how certain embodiments of theinvention filter data 425 accesses 420 and responsively deliver auditdata 435 based on user names, client IP addresses, etc., which mayinclude persistent tagging via rule creation, as mentioned above. Inthis example, two users 490 and 492 are accessing 420 data 425 on anenterprise data system. User 490 is a regular user who is accessing thenormal data 425. Audit program 405 identifies user 492 as a suspicioususer based on monitoring his/her access 420 history and matching one ofthe predetermined rules 440, such as rule 544 defining a conditionaccording to which user 492 accesses 420 data 425 outside of normalworking hours, for example.

Among rules 440, a default rule 542 designates a default repository 532among the various repositories 430. Program 405 responsively capturesfrom the access 420 audit data 435 that is defined by matching rule 544and sends data 435 to repository 534, which may be on a different dataserver than is designated by rule 542. In addition, rule 544 isconfigured to cause program 405, responsive to access or accesses 420matching rule 544, to automatically capture predetermined elements 445of the access 420, such as the user name, database user name, IPaddress, or other identifying characteristics of individual 492, and toautomatically include them in a new, second rule 440 that program 405responsively creates automatically. Consequently, audit program 405 isnow configured with an additional, new rule 546 to filter out thispotential hacker 492, so that even if the original access 420 conditions(i.e., data access elements) that matched rule 544 are not met again,rule 546 will still cause program 405 to send audit data 435 for futureaccesses 420 from user 492 to non-default repository 534.

In applying rules 440 to monitored user data access 420 activity, auditprogram 405 determines which computer system, e.g., 485 and 487, is theuser in each activity, captures each user's session of such activity 420as an audit data collection 435, such as a data record, tags theinformation and sends it to tables in a default one of repositories 430,where each user may be assigned a default one of data repositories 430.

Also, a rule 440 may indicate that due to the user, activity or dataentity, the audit information 435 should be directed to a different oradditional repository 430. The set of specific data repositories 430 isencapsulated as a RepositoryIdentifier for the user's session. Allsubsequent data accesses in the same session are tagged with the sameRepositoryIdentifier and logged (i.e., stored) in the same set of datarepositories 430.

A logging controller of audit program 405 is configured to know whatdata should be sent to multiple data repositories, i.e., data that isuseful for intrusion detection and audit. In certain embodiments of thepresent invention, audit program 405 logs non session-based data only inthe default repository 430, which may be local to audit data system 415.

For instance, an administrator may configure audit program 405 with arule 440 according to which a certain data server is designated to storea repository 430 for all traffic originating from a given IP addressthat is accessing certain database tables 425 in an enterprise database.For this rule 440 the administrator configures audit program 405 tocapture an audit data collection 435 that includes the name of thedatabase user, the names of the tables being accessed, the IP addressthat is accessing the tables and the times of accesses.

Then, when audit program 405 audits traffic, any connection to database425 that originates from the given IP address is tagged by audit program405 with a repository identifier specifying the particular repository430. Additionally, when any further traffic from that IP addressarrives, audit program 405 sends to the particular repository 430 theaudit data collection 435, which according to the configuration in thisexemplary instance is the user name, IP address, the time of access andthe identities of the tables being accessed. Data collection 435 onserver DSDS thus provides a specific database audit trail 435 fortraffic originating from that IP address containing highly specific datafor generating an audit report.

Examples of security policy rules 440, according to embodiments of thepresent invention, include the following:

A security policy may include a rule that selectively directs auditinformation to different data repositories according to user accesslevel. That is, if a user is a client or group granted access to datahaving a high level sensitivity characteristic, then the policydelineates that audit information for that user shall be directed to adata repository that is subject to more audit analysis than is a datarepository for audit information from a client or group having a lowerlevel of data access.

A security policy may include a rule that that selectively directs auditinformation to different data repositories according to data sensitivitylevel. That is, if a user actually accesses data having a high levelsensitivity characteristic, then audit information for that data accessshall be directed to a data repository that is subject to more auditanalysis than is a data repository for audit information of data havinglower sensitivity.

A security policy may include a rule that audit information shall bedirected to different data repositories according to different jobfunction of users or according to job function and data characteristicassociations (or lack of association). That is, for example, a rule maydelineate that an attempted access to data that has no association to auser's job function indicates suspicious activity.

A security policy may include a rule that selectively directs auditinformation to different data repositories according to data identity,i.e., which databases, tables, fields, or other data entities areaccessed.

A security policy may include a rule that directs audit information todifferent data repositories according to nature of data usage. That is,for example, if an amount of data of a particular type that is accessedin a given time interval by a particular, predefined type of userexceeds a predefined threshold, then the rule may delineate that theaudit information for those accesses shall be directed to a particulardata repository that is subject to more audit analysis than is a datarepository for audit information of data for which the threshold, datatype or user type are not met.

In embodiments of the invention, user interface 465 is coupled with aprocess 470 that automatically configures policy rules 440, responsiveto input by the administrator in an initialization mode, with astructure based on that of SQL queries, such that each policy rule 440can be easily parsed by parsing module 460 into corresponding SQLcomponents (e.g., commands, objects, fields, where-clause, etc.). Forexample, if an organization wants to audit any access to a highlysensitive data table (such as, for example, CUSTOMER_PROFILE, whichcontains critical data about customers), an auditor may configure a rule440 having the specific table name, which is a SQL object, anddelineating actions to take for an access 420 to this table.

Thus, monitoring by audit program 405 may detect a user request to thisCUSTOMER_PROFILE table, by collecting the request, parsing it, comparingthe component parts of the request to rules 440, and finding a match toa rule 440 delineating the table. For example, such a request may be arequest to select information from this table (“select * fromCUSTOMER_PROFILE”), update some records in this table (“updateCUSTOMER_PROFILE set a=b”), delete some records from this table (“deleteCUSTOMER_PROFILE where credit_card_number=audit program 405X”), etc.

Responsive to collector 450 capturing an “update CUSTOMER_PROFILE seta=b” request, for example, parser 460 parses the request into the“update” command and “CUSTOMER_PROFILE” object and module 442 comparesthis to the predefined rules 440 and finds a match with a rule 440delineating i) a SQL command that includes “update” and an object thatincludes “CUSTOMER_(—) PROFILE.” An action delineated in the rule 440for access 420 to this table specifies what audit data to capture andwhere to send it, e.g., a special repository 430. Consequently,responsive to detecting a user request to this CUSTOMER_PROFILE table,audit program 405 captures and sends the audit data 435 to the specialrepository 430. On the other hand, responsive to detecting a userrequest 420 that does not match a policy rule 440 for a highly sensitivedata 425 access 420, audit program 405 may be configured by a defaultrule 440 to capture and send default audit data to a default repository430.

A security policy may include a rule 440 that is persistent, whereinafter a user, data entity, connection, etc. is deemed suspicious by rule440, subsequent data 425 access 420 for that identified user, dataentity, connection, etc. is persistently diverted to a particular datarepository 430. That is, depending on the configuration that auditprogram 405 received from the administrator, audit program 405 maycollect and tag more than one session as an audit data collection 435(i.e., more than one session of one user or one or more sessions of morethan one user) and send collection 435 to one or more predetermined datarepositories. This may also include tagging a connection byautomatically creating a new rule 440 when an initial rule 440 has beenmet by an access, such that the new rule causes future traffic 420 fromthe same connection to likewise be tagged as suspicious and be subjectto specific actions as well.

Generally, tags used may indicate one or more data repositories 430 towhich audit program 405 will send audit data captured for a user,connection, data entity etc. When audit program 405 monitors auditeddata 425 accesses 420, it compares the traffic 420 to all the policyrules 440. If a rule 440 applies, audit program 405 tags that dataaccess 420 and the connection associated with the data access 420 toindicate a repository identifier for whatever repository 430 may apply.These repository identifiers allow audit program 405 to use any securitypolicy rule 440 to persistently send all traffic 420 for a givenconnection, user data entity, etc. to specific data repositories 430.

According to embodiments of the present invention, when an audit systemis installed there are initially no rules. An administrator 480 addsrules 440 as needed. So for instance, administrator 480 may create arule 440 to search each and every command (access element 445) for apiece of data, like a credit card number, in which case system 415checks all data traffic 420 (as it is collected) for commands and checksall commands found for the credit card number to see if there is traffic420 that matches the rule 440. Administrator 480 would configure system415 in this manner with an awareness, of course, that system 415 musthave adequate resources to implement that rule 440 with reasonableperformance, which the administrator 480 is able to verify. There wouldbe no such performance concern if an auditor 480 searched audit data 435for the credit card number after the data 435 has been stored in arepository 430, rather than creating a rule to check the data as it isbeing collected.

On the other hand, the administrator 480 may also create a rule 440configured such that once a data access 420 is identified as matchingthe rule's conditions, the rule 440 directs system 415 to identify thesession and save that identification in association with a tagindicating one or more repositories 430. The rule 440 also directssystem 415 to store audit data 435 at that tag-indicated one or morerepositories 430 for any subsequent data traffic 420 identified by thatsession identification without again checking the data traffic 420 tosee whether it matches all the rule's conditions. This addressesperformance concerns by reducing computer system 410 resources requiredfor repeated rule 440 checking while still capturing audit data 435 thatis indicated by an initial rule 440 match.

FIG. 5 also illustrates how certain embodiments of the invention directincoming traffic 420 by data 425 types. In the example, user 492 isaccessing 420 multiple data sources 425 in an enterprise. The securitymonitoring by audit program 405 is configured with a rule 548delineating a particular, critical data source 527 among data sources425, so that the rule 548 matches the critical data source 527. Matchingrule 548 designates another repository 536, i.e., other than defaultrepository 532 for audit data 435, which may be on a different dataserver than that of the repository 532. Audit program 405 identifies anaccess 420 by user 490 to the critical data source 527 defined in thematching rule 548. Program 405 responsively captures audit data 435 fromthe access 420, where the audit data 435 to capture is defined by thematching rule 548, and program 405 sends the data 435 to the repository536 in addition to default repository 532. Auditors may run analysis onthe vast amounts of regular, unfiltered audit data 435 in the defaultrepository 532, but the filtered data repositories 534 and 536 containonly audit data 435 for specially selected accesses 420.

According to embodiments of the present invention, access to audit data435 is controlled via an authentication process 475, which is configuredto limit the accesses to predetermined audit personnel 480 who each havea predetermined security clearance level, wherein some of the personnel480 have a higher clearance level that allows access to more sensitiveaudit data 435 than other personnel 480. An administrator configuresauthentication process 475 to require the higher level of securityclearance for personnel 480 accesses to the selected audit data 435 sentby audit program 405 to specially designated repositories 430.

Audit data repositories 430 can be diverse, ranging from a flat textfile to various database servers. According to embodiments of theinvention, monitored data 425 are stored as audit data 435 in databaseshaving schemas tailored to the monitored data 425 itself, rather thancapturing audit data 435 in a flat log file. To enable this, auditprogram 405 has Application Program Interfaces (API's) for deliveringaudit data 435 to each possible type of repository 430, in embodimentsof the invention. Each API dictates what class of audit data 435 can besent to each repository 430. That is, different aspects of monitoreddata are logged as audit data in different database tables having schemamatching the aspects of the monitored data. It is useful to capture andstore different elements of monitored data in respective tables becausethis makes for easier reporting and access, including searching andbrowsing. It allows detecting access intrusions and auditing based onelements of query data.

In one example, for monitored traffic audit program 405 captures and APIstores client/server connection information for an access 420 as auditdata 435 in a GDM_ACCESS table in default repository 430. If connectioninformation is of interest to detect suspicious connections, a rule isconfigured to also direct audit data 435 in GDM_ACCESS to anotherspecific data repository 430.

In another example, consider a monitored SQL request 420:

select * from employee_table where employee_id=4940 andhire_date=‘10/29/01’

For this request 420, one or more rules 440 may be configured to captureany or all of the SQL components of the monitored request 440 forstoring as audit data 435, such as:

command: “select,”

object: “employee_table,”

fields: (“employee_id”, “hire_date”),

where-clauses: (employee_id=? and hire_date=?),

specific field values: (4940, 10/29/01), or

full SQL sentence, etc.

Further, the one or more rules 440 may be configured to store the auditdata 435 based on internal SQL components of the request 420. That is,for example, audit data system 415 includes a database repository 430having the following default tables that are relevant to the aboveexample request 420: GDM_COMMAND, GDM_OBJECT, GDM_FIELD,GDM_CONSTRUCT_TEXT, GDM_CONSTRUCT_VALUES and GDM_SENTENCE tables. Theone or more rules 440 may be configured to direct audit program 405 tostore each respective one of these components in a repository 430 tablethat corresponds to the respective component, so that, for example,“employee_table” may be stored in the GDM_OBJECT table (since it is theobject of the “select” command), “employee_id” and “hire_date” may bestored in the GDM_FIELD table (since they are fields specified in thecommand of the table that is the object of the command), etc. In variousembodiments, the “select” command of this example may be stored in adefault table GDM_SENTENCE, a default table GDM_COMMAND, or in both,depending on configuration.

Not only are the table names different, but the structure of the tablesare different, so that the GDM_OBJECT table stores characteristics ofobjects whereas the GDM_FIELD table stores characteristics of fields,for example. Fields have an associated clauses (e.g. where-clause,group-by clause, order-by clause, etc.), while objects have associatedtypes.

The following more generally describes default tables in repository 430,which include:

-   -   GDM_ACCESS: logs the information on from where to where the        access occurred. It contains client/server information.    -   GDM_SESSION: logs the database SQL Session information        originating from the same access. It contains the session start        and end time, the session event info, etc.    -   GDM_CONSTRUCT: logs the original/full SQL construct information.        e.g. “Select A from B”    -   GDM_SENTENCE: logs the verb information in the SQL construct.        e.g. verb “Select” from the construct “Select A from B”    -   GDM_OBJECT: log the table names in the SQL construct. e.g. table        “B: from the construct “Select A from B”    -   GDM_FIELD: log the column names in the SQL construct. e.g. field        “A” from the construct “Select A from B”    -   GDM_JOIN: logs the join information in the SQL constructs, it        contains the where-clause text and the table object for the        where-clause, e.g. “Select c from myTable where c>1”. The        “myTable” and “c>1” are logged as “join_sql” and “where_sql” in        the GDM_JOIN table.    -   GDM_CONSTRUCT_INSTANCE: Contains the count of executions for a        specific SQL construct (Select, drop, etc.) during a specific        period of time for a specific session    -   GDM_CONSTRUCT_TEXT: Table used to log SQL Structure when logging        full details    -   GDM_CONSTRUCT_VALUES: Table used to hold values for Log Full        Details with values. The values are linked to a field in the        construct.    -   GDM_ERROR: Logs known SQL errors, with error type and        description.    -   GDM_EXCEPTION: Logs exceptional traffic, such as: unknown        session/login, login failed, TCP error, failed to parse SQL        message, and any other traffic not fully understood by audit        program 405.

Further, audit program 405 may simultaneously send real-time alerts tosecurity authorities in the organization or may immediately block accessfrom a user or connection deemed highly suspicious.

In some implementations, automatically detecting and diverting highlysuspicious activities may be immediately and directly accomplished byaudit program 405's analysis of data 425 access 420 activities andapplication of the above mentioned, predetermined security policies 440thereto.

In some implementations, automatically detecting highly suspiciousactivities may be accomplished by audit program 405 first sending moresuspicious audit trail information 435 for data 425 selectively to afirst database 430 and less suspicious audit trail information to asecond database 430. The determination of more versus less suspiciousactivity may be made by audit program 405's analysis of access 420activities and application of predetermined security policies 440, suchas described herein above, for example. Then, since the audit trailinformation 435 received by first database is known to be moresuspicious, additional resources may be applied, wherein anotherapplication or another process of audit program 405 may further analyzethat audit trail information 435. This additional analysis may detecthighly suspicious activities based on the audit information 435, inwhich case the application or additional process of audit program 405may responsively send an alert or send audit data to still anotherrepository 430 that receives higher priority auditor attention.

Referring now to FIG. 6, aspects of processes are illustrated accordingto embodiments of the present invention. In an initialization mode, acomputer program receives 610 security rules auditor inputs via a userinterface, where the rules are for applying to monitored data accesses,which have data access elements including data query components, asdescribed herein above. The program automatically configures 612 thereceived rules to include structure based on data query structures, suchthat the rules have components corresponding to the components of dataqueries. In this manner, the rules provide sets of predefined dataaccess elements for identifying predefined data accesses

In another aspect, a computer implemented process monitors 616 datatraffic on a network and captures 618 data access elements thereof. Aprocess analyzes 620 the data, compares 622 data access elements thereofto the security rules and sends 624 first audit data collections fordata accesses to a first repository, which may be a default repositoryin some embodiments of the present invention. In at least someinstances, for one of the data accesses that matches one of the rules,the process sends 626 a second audit data collection defined by thematching rule to a second repository designated by the matching rule.(It should be appreciated that there may be additional repositories andthat the matching rule or additional matching rules may cause sendingaudit data to different ones or combinations of ones of therepositories, depending on the configurations of the rules, which mayeven include sending audit data for one data access or session orconnection to more than two repositories.)

For audit data sent 624 to the first repository, this may includesending respective ones of the data access elements of the data accessesto respective databases of the first repository. Likewise, for auditdata sent 626 to the second repository, it may include sendingrespective ones of the data access elements of the data accesses torespective databases of the second repository. Further, in embodimentsof the present invention, the data access elements for the data accessesinclude data query components, and either or both repositories includesdatabases having schema according to data query components, so that thesending 624 and 626 may include sending respective ones of the dataquery components to respective databases having schema corresponding tothe respective ones of the data query components.

In another aspect, a matching rule is a first rule in one instance and acomputer implemented process creates 630 a second rule automatically inresponse to the data access matching the first rule, wherein the secondrule is configured for sending predetermined elements of future dataaccesses that match the second rule to the second repository. Inanalyzing 620 captured data for later data accesses, even though allelements of the data access that matched the first rule are not presentagain, the computer-implemented process still sends 626 audit datacollections for those accesses that match the second rule to the secondrepository.

Further, in another aspect, an authentication process is configured 640to recognize security clearance levels, wherein some ones of auditpersonnel have a lower clearance level than other audit personnel. Theauthentication process automatically limits 642 accesses to audit datacollections in the second repository, such that the audit datacollections in the second repository are not accessible to auditpersonnel having the lower level of security clearance.

The above described policy rules and procedures tend to filter outsuspicious activity from the very large amounts of normal and legitimatedatabase accesses. This new arrangement for automatically detecting anddiverting highly suspicious activities may permit much more timelyintrusion detection than conventional arrangements wherein uncategorizeddatabase traffic audit information is manually filtered, which is atedious and time consuming job, at best. Indeed, considering the vastamounts of data transmitted to and from servers within any largeorganization today, known solutions of manually auditing traffic tend tobe impractical.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program codeembodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using anyappropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline,optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of theforegoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computerprogram instructions may also be stored in a computer readable mediumthat can direct a computer, other programmable data processingapparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, suchthat the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement thefunction/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A system comprising: at least one computingprocessor; and a computer-readable storage media connected to the atleast one computing processor, wherein the computer-readable storagemedia has stored thereon a data-traffic auditing program for controllingthe at least one computing processor, and wherein the at least onecomputing processor is operative with the program to execute the programto: monitor data traffic on a network and collect data access elementsthereof; compare the collected data access elements to security rulesproviding sets of predefined data access elements for identifyingpredefined data accesses; and send first audit data collections for dataaccesses to a first repository and, for a data access that matches oneof the rules, sending a second audit data collection defined by thematching rule to at least a second repository designated by the matchingrule.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein sending first audit datacollections for data accesses to a first repository includes sendingrespective ones of the data access elements to respective databases ofthe first repository.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the matchingrule is a first rule and wherein the at least one computing processor isfurther operative with the program to execute the program to: create asecond rule automatically in response to the data access matching thefirst rule, wherein the second rule is configured for sendingpredetermined elements of future data accesses that match the secondrule to the second repository, so that even if all elements of the dataaccess that matched the first rule are not present again, thecomputer-implemented process will still send audit data collections forfuture accesses that match the second rule to the second repository. 11.The system of claim 8, wherein the data access elements for the dataaccesses include data query components, and wherein the at least onecomputing processor is further operative with the program to execute theprogram to: automatically configure ones of the rules, responsive torule input in an initialization mode, with structure based on data querystructures, such that the rules have components corresponding tocomponents of data queries.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the dataaccess elements include an IP address of a user.
 13. The system of claim8, wherein the at least one computing processor is operative with theprogram to execute the program to: recognize security clearance levels,wherein some ones of audit personnel have a lower clearance level thanother audit personnel; and limit accesses to audit data collections inthe second repository, such that the audit data collections in thesecond repository are not accessible to audit personnel having the lowerlevel of security clearance.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the dataaccess elements for the data accesses include data query components, thefirst repository includes databases having schema according to dataquery components, and sending respective ones of the data accesselements to respective databases of the first repository comprises:sending respective ones of the data query components to the respectivedatabases having schema corresponding to the respective ones of the dataquery components.
 15. A computer program product for auditing datatraffic, the computer program product comprising: a computer-readablestorage medium; and computer-readable program code embodied in thecomputer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable programcode is configured to cause at least one computing processor to: monitordata traffic on a network and collect data access elements thereof;compare the collected data access elements to security rules providingsets of predefined data access elements for identifying predefined dataaccesses; and send first audit data collections for data accesses to afirst repository and, for a data access that matches one of the rules,send a second audit data collection defined by the matching rule to atleast a second repository designated by the matching rule.
 16. Thecomputer program product of claim 15 wherein sending first audit datacollections for data accesses to a first repository includes sendingrespective ones of the data access elements to respective databases ofthe first repository.
 17. The computer program product of claim 15,wherein the matching rule is a first rule and wherein thecomputer-readable program code is configured to cause at least onecomputing processor to: create a second rule automatically in responseto the data access matching the first rule, wherein the second rule isconfigured for sending predetermined elements of future data accessesthat match the second rule to the second repository, so that even if allelements of the data access that matched the first rule are not presentagain, the computer-implemented process will still send audit datacollections for future accesses that match the second rule to the secondrepository.
 18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein thedata access elements for the data accesses include data querycomponents, and wherein the computer-readable program code is configuredto cause at least one computing processor to: automatically configureones of the rules, responsive to rule input in an initialization mode,with structure based on data query structures, such that the rules havecomponents corresponding to components of data queries.
 19. The computerprogram product of claim 15, wherein the computer-readable program codeis configured to cause at least one computing processor to: recognizesecurity clearance levels, wherein some ones of audit personnel have alower clearance level than other audit personnel; and limit accesses toaudit data collections in the second repository, such that the auditdata collections in the second repository are not accessible to auditpersonnel having the lower level of security clearance.
 20. The computerprogram product of claim 16, wherein the data access elements for thedata accesses include data query components, the first repositoryincludes databases having schema according to data query components, andsending respective ones of the data access elements to respectivedatabases of the first repository comprises: sending respective ones ofthe data query components to the respective databases having schemacorresponding to the respective ones of the data query components.